World?s First Green Mansion Features Eco-friendly Urban Living

RISMEDIA, March 27, 2007-One of the most environmentally progressive homes in the country is nestled in the heart of Atlanta's historic Buckhead neighborhood. EcoManor, www.ecomanor.com, set to be the first U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified residence in the Southeast, was built to inspire a change in urban design by showcasing how the latest green technologies can be incorporated into a traditionally beautiful Tudor house.

Constructed by national eco-activists, Laura and Rutherford Seydel, EcoManor will serve as an educational tool for builders, architects, designers, landscapers and homeowners to promote green living, conservation and advanced residential building practices.

"We believe strongly in walking the talk," said Rutherford Seydel. "What many people don't realize is the choices we make at home can have the biggest impact on the environment, that's why we decided to build EcoManor. Thanks to the efforts of our dedicated team of builders, interior designers and architects, Laura and I are excited to call EcoManor our new home."

EcoManor is one of the first private residences in the Southeast to combine energy-efficient technologies such as soy-based foam insulation and ground-source heat pumps with photovoltaic solar panels that will generate a majority of the Seydel's electric needs. EcoManor will also receive certification from the Greater Atlanta HBA's EarthCraft House green building program and the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat program.

Other featured products include:

- An advanced window that actually produces solar electricity
- Solar tubing that directs natural lighting into closets and interior rooms
- Energy Star lighting and appliances
- Reclaimed and environmentally-certified woods
- Pressed hay straw cabinets and pressed wheat straw doors
- Chemical free carpet and non-toxic low VOC paints and stains
- Recycled content decorator tiles and reclaimed slate roofing
- Water reclaiming greywater tanks and rain cisterns
- Touch panel computer system that manages/monitors the home's energy and water use

For more information, visit www.ecomanor.com.